Rashidi Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor Who May Become the Next Olubadan

Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is once again at a turning point in its traditional leadership as the city mourns the passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. 

With the stool now vacant, all eyes have turned to one familiar figure: former governor and respected high chief, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

If everything goes as expected and the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, gives his approval, Rashidi Ladoja could soon be crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. 

His name has been widely mentioned as the next in line, owing to his seniority among the high chiefs and his position as the current Otun Olubadan.

Political force before yoyalty

Before his journey into traditional leadership, Ladoja had already built a long career in Nigerian politics. He was elected governor of Oyo State in 2003 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and held office until 2007 though not without turbulence. 

His tenure was interrupted in January 2006 when he was controversially impeached. He was reinstated in December of the same year and went on to complete his term.

Over the years, Ladoja has remained active in the political space. After leaving the PDP, he became a strong force in Oyo State politics through parties like Accord Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Although he contested in both the 2011 and 2015 governorship elections, he lost to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The impeachment controversy

Ladoja’s impeachment in 2006 remains a significant event in Oyo’s political history. While many believed it was orchestrated by strongman Lamidi Adedibu and then-deputy governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Ladoja later revealed that the real force behind it was former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This claim, which he made in 2024 during a radio interview, echoed earlier allegations by Sunday Igboho, who claimed that both Obasanjo and Adedibu offered him money to support the removal.

From senator to cultural custodian

Long before his time as governor, Ladoja served as a senator during the Nigerian Third Republic in 1993, under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). His deep roots in both politics and traditional affairs have made him a unique figure in Ibadanland.

Interestingly, despite being a Muslim, Ladoja is also a known supporter of Yoruba cultural traditions. In May 2025, he chaired the World Egungun Festival, an event that celebrates ancestral spirits through masquerade performances, music, and dance. 

His presence at the event showed his commitment to preserving the rich heritage of Ibadan and the Yoruba people at large.

The next Olubadan?

With his current title as Otun Olubadan, the second-in-command in the Olubadan line, Rashidi Ladoja is now the most senior high chief and is next in line for the throne. What remains is the formal approval from Governor Makinde, after which a new chapter in Ibadan’s traditional history will begin.

Ladoja’s expected transition from former governor to monarch is not just a personal journey, it also represents a powerful blend of political leadership and cultural stewardship. 

Should he ascend the throne, it will mark a new era for Ibadan, led by a man who has experienced both the highs and lows of Nigerian public life.